Dr. Robert Sterling Hollabaugh

Robert Sterling Hollabaugh, age 87, died peacefully at home with his wife Maggie by his side on October 17, 2024. He had a wonderful life; well-lived and full of love. He had a quick wit, was very patient with a gentle spirit, and one you sought out for his wisdom.

Margaret “Maggie” Moore was the love of his life. On a chance fishing trip to Lake Martin with his fraternity brother Ernie Moore, Bobby met Ernie’s little sister, Margaret. He called her “Maggie,” and they married a few years later when she graduated from Auburn University. That was the beginning of their wonderful life together that lasted 61 years. They were a fantastic team!

Dr. Hollabaugh was a pediatric surgeon and dedicated his professional career to caring for children and their families. He graduated from Vanderbilt University and did his medical training and surgical residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. After an internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, he spent two years with the US Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska. He then completed his Pediatric Surgery degree at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Returning to Memphis, he practiced full-time at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center for 32 years, retiring in 2005. He always said coming back to Memphis to work at LeBonheur was the dream job of a lifetime. During his medical career he particularly enjoyed training resident surgeons as well as international fellows in Pediatric Surgery. He was actively involved in worldwide medical missions, introducing and helping maintain a Pediatric Surgery presence in underserved areas of Africa, Tibet, China, Central and South America.

An outdoorsman and adventurer at heart, he was one to enjoy his leisure time with family and lifelong friends, often hunting and fishing, or just taking part in every aspect of lake-life at beloved Rocky Point on Lake Martin in Alabama.

He touched many lives in both his private life and his professional career, and was ever inspiring us to use our talents for the benefit of others. If you feel inclined, please write a special memory you have that celebrates his life and mail it to: Trezevant Manor-Hollabaugh Memorials 177 N. Highland St Memphis, TN 38111 or help a child at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in your own special way.

He leaves his wife Maggie; his son Robert Hollabaugh, Jr. (Cary) of Memphis, grandchildren Sterling Hollabaugh and Lillie Hollabaugh; his daughter Bonnie Hollabaugh of Memphis; twin sister, Barbara Hollabaugh Gustafson of Alabama and her children Mark Gustafson and Lynne Gustafson Knudtson (Tom); as well as nieces Lorie Hollabaugh and Heather Hollabaugh Markum (daughter MacKenzie). He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Lillie Hollabaugh Rhame and Charles Fowler Hollabaugh of Nashville; and his brother Charles Fowler Hollabaugh, Jr. of Nashville. There will be a family-only burial in Memphis, as well as a visitation at Lake Martin.